Does a zirconia crown wear down the opposing tooth?

It is not determined by the material's hardness alone. There are reports that wear on the opposing natural tooth differs little when the surface is polished smooth and the bite is adjusted precisely, while a roughened surface can put more strain on it, so care after placement is discussed as a variable.

I grind my teeth. Which material should I choose?

Grinding and clenching increase the force on a restoration and affect both the material and the overall bite design. Tell your dentist about the habit in advance; this is a case that calls for discussing bite protection along with the material choice.

I already have a zirconia crown. If it is uncomfortable, can I switch to gold?

It is possible by removing the existing crown and making a new one, but this is an irreversible decision that involves more tooth removal and a remake. The first step is to find out whether the discomfort comes from the material or from the bite or nerve. Sometimes a bite adjustment solves it.

Does insurance coverage differ by material?

No. Crown restorations are mostly non-covered (not paid by Korea's National Health Insurance) regardless of material. That is why costs vary by clinic, and materials should be compared by their properties and indications, not by price.

← Prosthetics: Crowns guide

Choosing a Crown Material: Gold, Zirconia, Ceramic and PFM Compared, and How Tooth Location Shapes the Choice

Published August 27, 2026 Updated August 27, 2026 Based on official HIRA and Ministry of Health and Welfare data and public sources

In the analysis of patient comments about Prosthetics: Crowns, Material choice formed a question cluster of about 1,200 comments. There is no single right crown material. Compares gold, zirconia, ceramic and PFM, how location, bite force and grinding guide the choice, wear on opposing teeth and common myths. SOURCE Analysis of patient comments on YouTube dental content (DentStat) · public sources listed under References · Data as of June 28, 2026

Key facts

Material types	Gold · zirconia · ceramic (porcelain) · PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) and others ^[2]
Deciding factors	Location (molar or front tooth) · bite force · grinding habits · appearance needs: not a ranking of materials ^[2]
Insurance coverage	Crown restorations are mostly non-covered regardless of material ^[3]
Volume of patient questions	1,200 comments on material choice: the most debated theme among prosthetics and crowns ^[4]

For a molar crown, is gold or zirconia better?

There is no single right answer. A crown is a restoration that covers a damaged tooth to restore its shape and function [1], and the two materials differ in properties rather than ranking above one another [2]. Gold is ductile and malleable, so its chewing surface adapts slightly under bite force and it rarely breaks. Zirconia is very strong and close to tooth color, so it is used widely, including where appearance matters [2]. Which property is more useful depends not on the material but on the patient’s conditions: location, bite force and habits [2].

When DentStat analyzed 1,200 patient comments on material choice, it was the most heated theme within prosthetics and crowns, with repeated questions about whether to choose gold or zirconia and conflicting personal accounts [4].

Material	Main properties	Usually considered for
Gold	Ductile and malleable so it adapts to the bite, high fracture resistance, metal color [2]	Molars that are not visible, areas with heavy bite force [2]
Zirconia	High strength, tooth-colored, but still brittle [2]	Areas that need both appearance and strength [2]
Ceramic (porcelain)	High esthetics, relatively prone to fracture [2]	Front teeth and other areas where appearance comes first [2]
PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal)	Porcelain layered over metal; the porcelain can chip [2]	Cases needing a compromise between strength and cost [2]

Crown restorations are mostly non-covered (not paid by Korea’s National Health Insurance) regardless of material, so costs vary by clinic, and materials should be compared by properties and indications rather than price [3].

Does zirconia wear down the opposing tooth?

It is not decided by hardness alone. Surface polishing and bite adjustment are discussed as the main variables [2]. There are reports that a smoothly polished zirconia crown causes little difference in wear on the opposing natural tooth, while a surface left rough after bite adjustment can put more strain on the opposing tooth [2]. In the comment analysis, concern that hard zirconia damages the opposing tooth and the counterargument that precise adjustment prevents problems were evenly matched [4].

If I grind my teeth, how is the material chosen?

Grinding and clenching greatly increase the force on a restoration and should be discussed before the material is chosen [2]. With such habits, any material faces more risk of fracture and wear, so the bite design and whether to use an appliance such as a night guard are considered along with the material [2]. The comment analysis included accounts of materials being chosen without the patient mentioning a grinding habit during consultation [4].

Material recommendations are explained by clinical conditions such as location, bite, appearance needs and how much tooth must be removed [2]. The comment analysis showed many reactions questioning the motive behind recommendations [4], but it also included cases where patients asked for an explanation of which conditions led to the recommendation and, when opinions differed, compared views from several clinics [4]. Which material fits is decided by the condition of the tooth, not by the type or size of the clinic [2].

Common misconceptions and the facts

Some believe “zirconia is a new material that never breaks,” but zirconia is brittle too and can fracture [2].
Some believe “gold crowns make cavities more likely,” but secondary decay after a restoration depends on the fit of the margin and the bonding, not the color of the material [2].
A belief was also seen that material depends on the type of clinic, such as “local clinics use zirconia, university hospitals use gold” [4], but material is decided by location, bite and habits, not by the type of institution [2].

The overall distinctions between crowns and inlays and the insurance rules are covered in the crown and inlay guide, and regional clinic data in Find a dentist.

Frequently asked questions

For a molar crown, is gold or zirconia better?: There is no single right answer. Gold is ductile, adapts well to the bite and resists fracture. Zirconia is very strong and close to natural tooth color. Which property matters more is decided with your dentist based on a diagnosis of your own conditions, such as tooth location, bite force and grinding habits.
Does a zirconia crown wear down the opposing tooth?: It is not determined by the material's hardness alone. There are reports that wear on the opposing natural tooth differs little when the surface is polished smooth and the bite is adjusted precisely, while a roughened surface can put more strain on it, so care after placement is discussed as a variable.
I grind my teeth. Which material should I choose?: Grinding and clenching increase the force on a restoration and affect both the material and the overall bite design. Tell your dentist about the habit in advance; this is a case that calls for discussing bite protection along with the material choice.
I already have a zirconia crown. If it is uncomfortable, can I switch to gold?: It is possible by removing the existing crown and making a new one, but this is an irreversible decision that involves more tooth removal and a remake. The first step is to find out whether the discomfort comes from the material or from the bite or nerve. Sometimes a bite adjustment solves it.
Does insurance coverage differ by material?: No. Crown restorations are mostly non-covered (not paid by Korea's National Health Insurance) regardless of material. That is why costs vary by clinic, and materials should be compared by their properties and indications, not by price.

Find a dental clinic

Compare dental clinics by area and treatment in the area shortlists, or see nationwide figures in dental clinic statistics for South Korea.

References

National Health Information Portal: Oral Diseases and Tooth Restoration · Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
Academic Information on Materials for Fixed Prosthetic (Crown) Restorations · Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
National Health Insurance Coverage Criteria for Dental Prosthetics · Ministry of Health and Welfare · National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)
Analysis of Patient Comments on YouTube Dental Content: 1,200 Comments on Crown Material Choice (Collected 2026-06-28) · DentStat (Osamil Inc.)

This content is general information based on public sources and does not replace diagnosis, prescription or treatment for any individual. If you have symptoms, consult a dentist.